Howard's Carter beats buzzer, Westminster

Monte Carter proved that Howard doesn't have to go to Javier Michaux for the final shot with the game on the line.

Carter, a junior transfer from Annapolis High who scored 14 points, including two three-pointers, made a three-pointer at the buzzer to beat visiting Westminster, 63-62, yesterday.

The shot nullified a strong rally by the Owls, who trailed 37-24 at halftime.

Westminster (2-6) outscored Howard 16-6 in the third quarter and surged past the Lions in the fourth, taking a 56-49 lead with 2:08 to play.

John Morningstar's three-pointer with 6:55 to play gave the Owls their first lead, at 47-46.

Morningstar (10 points) made another three-pointer two minutes later, putting the Owls up 52-47.

Shortly thereafter, Eric Moreau's jumper pushed the lead to 56-49.

But Michaux, who averages a team-high 23 points, turned up his game in the final two minutes to rally Howard (3-5).

Michaux, who scored 24 and had 12 rebounds, put back a rebound, cutting Westminster's lead to 56-51.

Then the Lions benefited from a technical foul against a Westminster player after a foul. Michaux made two free throws and Aaron Graf made one of two, cutting Westminster's lead to 56-54 with 1:28 to play.

A driving basket by Michaux tied the score at 56 with 1:16 left.

Russell DeMont, who scored 24 and had 10 rebounds for Westminster, put back a rebound for a 58-56 advantage. But Michaux made a 15-foot jumper to tie it, 58-58, with 42 seconds to play.

DeMont's jumper from the low post gave Westminster a 60-58 lead with 27 seconds left, but Michaux made two free throws with 21 seconds to play to tie the game.

Charles VanHorn again gave Westminster the lead, 62-60, by making a 15-foot jumper with 9.6 seconds left.

Curtis passed to an open Carter, whose set shot touched nothing but the inside of the net.

"I didn't know I was getting it," Carter said. "I just happened to be open. But I said during the timeout that I would probably sink a three."

Westminster coach Dave Byers said: "We wanted to give them nothing long in that situation and tried to deny No. 30 [Michaux] the ball.

"No. 42 [Curtis] broke us down with his dribble and we had to double on his penetration leaving a man open. It was not a defensive breakdown. We want to make the other team have to hit the three to beat us."

The victory gave a big lift to Howard, which opens its Howard County League schedule Friday against Mount Hebron (8-0).